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Beyond Hope
Inspector Tommen's evening at the pub is abruptly cut short when he's called to a crime scene. Pharmaceutical manager Isak Neumann has plunged to his death from the balcony of his penthouse. At the scene, Jan discovers an unknown intruder on the surveillance Bernard Durand, who served a two-year prison sentence for assault against Isak Neumann. The manhunt for Durand is only a few hours old when the suspect turns himself in at the station, but he denies being the killer.
The investigation expands, and more and more clues emerge leading to a mysterious project called PERV9. When Jan attempts to uncover the sinister background of this project, he himself becomes a target.
And then he receives a desperate call for help from a missing member of the investigation team.
The investigation expands, and more and more clues emerge leading to a mysterious project called PERV9. When Jan attempts to uncover the sinister background of this project, he himself becomes a target.
And then he receives a desperate call for help from a missing member of the investigation team.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2026
About the author
Alexander Hartung
44 books113 followersAlexander Hartung lives in his hometown of Mannheim, Germany, with his wife and young son. He discovered his love of thrillers while studying economics. Until the Debt is Paid follows hard-partying detective Jan Tommen through Berlin, a city the author previously called home.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 28, 2026
This was a solid four-star read for me and a strong continuation of the series.
The tone here feels noticeably darker than the previous two books. The case has a heavier edge, and the stakes feel more personal as the investigation unfolds. While parts of the plot are somewhat predictable, the pacing keeps things engaging. It still works as a page-turner because you want to see how everything connects and resolves.
One of the strengths of this series continues to be its characters. The familiar faces are all present, and they add real depth to the story. Their interactions and roles feel consistent, which makes the narrative more grounded and enjoyable if you have followed the earlier books.
That said, my biggest issue with this book is the translation. Since this version is AI translated, the writing often feels mechanical and slightly off. Some sentences come across as unnatural, and the phrasing lacks the smooth, human touch you would expect from a professionally translated novel. It does affect the reading experience more than I would have liked.
That is ultimately why this remains a four-star read rather than a five. The story itself is strong, but the translation holds it back.
Overall, still an engaging and worthwhile addition to the series. I will definitely continue with the next book, but I hope future translations are handled more carefully and with a proper human touch.
The tone here feels noticeably darker than the previous two books. The case has a heavier edge, and the stakes feel more personal as the investigation unfolds. While parts of the plot are somewhat predictable, the pacing keeps things engaging. It still works as a page-turner because you want to see how everything connects and resolves.
One of the strengths of this series continues to be its characters. The familiar faces are all present, and they add real depth to the story. Their interactions and roles feel consistent, which makes the narrative more grounded and enjoyable if you have followed the earlier books.
That said, my biggest issue with this book is the translation. Since this version is AI translated, the writing often feels mechanical and slightly off. Some sentences come across as unnatural, and the phrasing lacks the smooth, human touch you would expect from a professionally translated novel. It does affect the reading experience more than I would have liked.
That is ultimately why this remains a four-star read rather than a five. The story itself is strong, but the translation holds it back.
Overall, still an engaging and worthwhile addition to the series. I will definitely continue with the next book, but I hope future translations are handled more carefully and with a proper human touch.
Displaying 1 of 1 review